Thursday, March 5, 2009

FORT PIERCE — In a move he hopes will help reduce expenses and deal with a projected 20 percent reduction in property tax revenues next year, Mayor Bob Benton is proposing the city consolidate the Police Department with the St. Lucie County Sheriff’s Office.

“To do this will probably be the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do in my job,” Benton said. “For me to do my job in this economic time, I have to look at all of our options. One thing that isn’t an option is raising taxes. That’s why we have to look into this.”

Officials would discuss the idea at an upcoming budget workshop, Benton said. No date has been scheduled for the workshop.

A projected 20 percent reduction in the city’s property valuation will result in a loss of $3.1 million in property tax revenues next year, City Manager David Recor said. Every 1 percent reduction in taxable value represents a decrease of $158,000 in property tax receipts, he said.

“We are going to prepare for the worst and hope for the best,” Recor said. “We really need to focus on how are we going to increase our revenues or how are we going to decrease our expenditures?”

Benton said merging the two departments could save the city millions of dollars annually. He said he doesn’t want to reduce the number of officers, but rather determine what areas in both agencies could be consolidated. (more…)

FORT PIERCE — Two men are suspected of trying to break in to a Fort Pierce Dunkin’ Donuts, according to arrest affidavit released Sunday by the Fort Pierce Police Department.

The report does not say whether the men were attempting to steal cash or doughnuts from the store at 920 U.S. 1.

Eric Demond Donley, 35, of the 1100 block of 32nd Avenue in Vero Beach, and Rony Harold Jeudy, 19, of the 1100 block of South U.S. 1 in Fort Pierce, were arrested on charges of burglary, property damage and criminal mischief and resisting arrest without violence on Friday. (more…)

By JASON SCHULTZ

PORT ST. LUCIE — A Fort Pierce police officer ended up in the St. Lucie County Jail tonight after being arrested on charges of stalking his ex-girlfriend.

Troy Giovengo